Coil box and switch therefor



Jan. 17, 1928.

W. HEMINGWAY, JR

COIL BOX AND SWITCH THEREFOR Filed March 1, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 emingwaylfi:

Jan. 17, 1928.

W. HEMINGWAY, JR

COIL BOX AND SWITCH THEREFOR Filed March 1, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 auto: "81

Patented dan l 7, 128.

iii

rrc,

WILSON HEMINGWAY, JR, OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, ASSIGNOE TO THE ELECTRU- LOCK MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPL'A CQRPORATEON F MISSISSIPPI.

COIL B02 AND SWITCH THEEEFGR.

Application filed March 1, 1923. Serial No. 622,204.

This invention relates to systems of electrical distribution now used in automobiles,-

motor boats and the like, and is an improvement of the broad concept and subject matter disclosed by me in copending applications filed under date of. June 6, 1922, December 20, 1922,- and March 1st, 1923, and bearing respectively Serial Numbers 566,429, 608,055 and 622,205.

All The principal purpose of the present invention is to protect the coils and other parts of the transformer assembly against theft and unauthorized use by inclosure of said assembly in acasing having a movable cover adapted to be lockedin closed position through the instrumentality of suitable meansconnected to. and controlled by a lock switch of the general type disclosed in my said copending applications.

A further purpose of the invention is to utilize the said switch for controlling the currentsupply to the transformer assembly to prevent unauthorized use thereof, the means for locking the switch in the open position being utilized in connection with other instrumentalities 1 for simultaneously locking the cover of'the assembly casing in closed position to prevent removal of the assembly.

Other objects of my invention, not specifi cally stated above, f 'will become apparent.

from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which: i

' F igure 1 is a vertical sectional view 3.3 through a coil box and switch constructed in accordance with my invention, the locking means for; the cover of the coil box being shown in elevation.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the switch structure. l

Figure 3 is a verticalsectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view ,on the line H of Figure 2 showing the arrangement of contacts carried by the cover portion of the switch. Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2 showing the arrangement of contacts carried by the base portion of the switch, the position of the cover contacts being indicated in this figureby dotted lines.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which the switch and as sociated parts of the transformer assembly are embodied in a complete system of distribution.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 5 designates the body and 6 the cover of a coil box particularly designed for use in an automobile of the Ford type. The rear wall of the body is extended upwardly beyond the front wall and the up er edges of the side walls of the body are s oped accordingly. The cover is formed with depending front and side Walls telescoping the corresponding walls of the body and supported in position by means of an outwardly pressed rib 7 extending across the front of the body in position to be engaged by the front wall of the cover. The cover and the rear wall of thebody are interlocked as indicated at 8 to provide a hinge connection permitting the cover to be readily swung to open or closed position, or to be entirely disconnected from the body. 1 Below the cover 5, the front wall of the said-body is provided with an opening 9 in which is fitted a switch of the general type disclosed by me in the aforementioned applications, bearing Serial Numbers 608,055 and 622,205. In its present form, this switch includes an annular collar 10 which projects outwardly through the opening 9 and is equipped at its inner end with an anchoring flange 11. The insulating base 12 of the switch proper is snugly fitted within this collar and is equipped with a central bushing 13 having its inner end flanged as at 14 to the full diameter of the flange 11, the two flanges being riveted together and to the front wall of the body as indicated at 15.

The base 12 is recessed or cut away to provide a seat 16 engaged by an annular shell'16 having an inwardly directed flange 17 at its outer end. lhis flange provides a bearing for the cover member 18 to the inside of which is secured a retaining ring 19 which projects beneath the flange and serves to hold the cover against separation from the shell, while permitting the necessary rotary movement of the cover. To limit movement of the cover in either direction,

it is preferred to provide the same with a central opening in which is keyed the outer end of a locking barrel 22. This barrel extends loosely through the bushing 13 and is rigidly secured at its inner terminal to one end ofthe bar or latch member 23. The opposite end of this bar or latch member 23 is formed witha slot 24 adapted times to be engaged With a pin 25 carried by the cover for the purpose of securing said. cover in closed position. The locking mechanism inclosed Within the barrel preferably includes a bolt 26 adapted to be selectively engaged in openings 2? and 23 formed partly in the base 12 and partly in the bushing 13. p

Numerals 23 and 30 designate a pair of contact brushes which are electrically con nected together through the medium of a bar 31 formed of a suitable conducting 1naterial. This bar is connectedto the under side of the cover through the medium of suitable screws 32 and is properly insulated from the cover and the said screws as indicated. at 33. The cover also carries a pair of contact lingers 3 and 35 secured. together at their upper ends and to the cover through the medium of a fastening screw 36. A furthercontact finger 3? is fastened to the bar 31 intermediate the contact brushes 29 and 30'.

The base 12 of the switch carries a plurality of contacts adapted to cooperate with the cover contacts and designated respectively by the numerals 38, 39, 40, at, and 42, the contact d0 as shown to advantage in Figure 1, being connected by a lead 43 to the contactstrip ll, which in turn is suitably connected, in the usual manner, to the primary Winding of theinduction coils con tained Within box 5.,

In practice, the switch and the usual duction coils carried by the casing 5, are incorporated in a system of distribution as shown to advantage in Figure '31 As shown in this figure, the main contact 33 of the switch base 12 is connected by a lead 45 to the insulated terminal of the bat tery t5, the remaining teriinal oi the battery being connected to the ground. The opposing contact 330i the switch base is connected through'a lead 45 and the starter switch 46 to the starter 42?. The stationary contact 4:2 of the said base is connected by leads i3 and d9, arnineter 50 and lead 51 to the movable Contact 52 of the starting and lighting switch 53, a stationary contact 54- ot said switch being connected by a return lead 55 to the base contact il. ln the closed position of my improved switch as represented in Figure 5, the main cover contacts 29 and 30 are engaged with the main base contacts 38 and 39, while the contact fingers 3s, 35 and 3'? of the cover are in engagement with the base contacts il. lo'and e2. Current is theretore permitted to flow.

from the insulated terminalof the battery 45 through lead 45, contacts 38, 29, connecting bar 31, contacts 30 and 39 to the starter switch 46. Current is also supplied through the connecting bar 31, contact finger.

37., contact 42 and leads d8, 49 and 51, to the movable contact 52 of the starting and lighting switch 53. When the contact 52 of the said switch 53 is moved into engagement with the contact 54 to close the ignition circuit, the current flows from the last menthe leads 57 to the dist-ributer'53. The; cur

rent from the high tension terminals of the coils is carried through the leads 53 to the spark plugs 30 The switch 53 is provided With additional contacts 61, 52, 63, and 64" connected, respectively, by loads 65, 66, 6?, and 68 to the headlight lamps 69, dimmer lamps 70, tail.

lamp 71 and horn 72. The last mentioned lead 68 is preferablyconnected by a tap 73 to the magneto 74. The generator, designated by the numeral 7 5, is connected through the cut-out 76 and alnineter 50 to the lead 51.

When it is desired to shut off the flow of current to the starter and ignition circuits Without interfering with the lighting circuits, the movable contacts of the main controlling switch are shifted slightly to the left from the position shown in Figure 5 to bring the locking bolt 26 into position for engagement in the recess 27. In this second position of the switch, the contact 30 will have passed completely out of engagement with the base contact 39 but the movable contact- 29 will still remain in engagement With an edge portion of the contact 33 due to the fact that the last mentioned contact is made somewhat longer than the contact 39. The base contact 42 is also made of sutlicicnt length to prevent the contact 3? passing entirely out of engagement therewith in this movement of the switch. In this second position of the switch contacts, current from the battery flows through the contacts 38, 29, connecting bar 31 and contact finger 37 to the base contact 42 and "irorn the latter through the leads 48. t3 and 51 to the movable contact 52 of the lighting and ignition switch 53. Thus, by turning the contact 52 into engagement with any one of the cont acts til, 62, 63 and 6 the current is permitted to pass to the lighting circuits and to the horn 72. No current, however, is permitted to iiow through theignition'circuit due to the tact that. in this second mentioned position the switch contacts, the fingers and 35 have been completely disengaged with the base contacts is and so. The startnee position separation of the contacts 30 cuits leading to the'battery are disrupted.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that in the two oil positions of the switch, no current can pass from the magneto 74: or from the generator 75 to the coils or other parts of the ignition circuit, this being due to the breakage of the ignition circuit by separation of the contact fingers 34 and 35 from thebase contacts 41 and 40.

From the foregoing, it will be apparentthat myinvention afiords. simple and effective means for protecting the electrical equipment of an automobile, motor boat or the like against unauthorized use and the injurious ellects of grounds or short circuits such as frequently develop in the wiring. The invention also serves toefiectively pre vent theft or the coils and other parts of the transformer assembly by inclosure of the said assembly in a coil box or casing having a movable cover which isautomatically, fastened in closed position through the Vinstrumentality of the means provided for locking the switch in the open position. Thus, the owner of an automobile equipped with this invention can, by the simple act of locking the switch to prevent unauthorized use of the electrical equipment, also effectively secure the coils and other inclosed parts of the transformer assembly against removal from the coil box.

Having thus fully described my invention, I reserve the right to resort to such changes and modifications as may later prove desirable, providing, of course, that the same come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a coil box, a mov-= able coi'er therefor, a switch fitted in and projecting outwardly through an opening formed in a wall of the box, the portion 0% the switch within the-boa: being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and secured to the inner side or wall, and

means controlled by actuation oi the switch for locking and releasing said eover.

2. The combination of a coil box, a lid for said box, a collar projecting outwardly from the wall of the box, a rotatable coversecured to and closing the outer end of the collar, latch means carried by the cover for engaging and holding the casing lid closed,

east

and key operated means for locking said latch means'in lid-engaging position.

The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar pro ecting outwardly from the wall of the casing, an inwardly directed flange at the outer end of the collar, a rotatable cover bearing against the outer face of the flange, a'retaining ring carried by the cover and bearing against the inner face of the flange, latch means car- 'ied by the cover for engaging said lid, and 'key operated means for locking said latch means in lid-engaging position.

4. The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar projecting outwardly from the wall of the casing, a rotatable cover secured to and closing the outer end of the collar, a barrel keyed at its outer end to said cover and extending inwardly through said collar, a latch arm fixed to the inner end" of the barrel adapted to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid, and key operated locking means carried by the barrel for securing said arm in lid-engaging position.

5. The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar projecting outwardly from the wall of the casing, a rotatable cover secured to and closin the outer end of the collar, a centrally disposed bushing positioned within the collar and secured thereto, a barrel rotatable in said bushing and having its outer end keyed to the cover, a latch arm fixed to the inner end oi the barrel for engagin anddisengaging a part carried by the li and key operated locking means within the barrel including a bolt adapted to engage in an opening formed in the bushing to hold said latch arm in lid-engaging position.

6. The combination of a casing, a lid for to engage and disengage apart carried bythe lid, and key operated locking means 'within the barrel including a bolt engageable in an opening formed in said bushing. 2 The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar projecting outwardly from the wall of the casing, an inwardly directed flange at the outer end of the collar, a rotatable cover bearing against the outer side of said flange, a retaining ring secured to the cover and bearing against the inner side of the flange, a barrel passing through the collar and having its outer end keyed to the cover, a latch arm fixed to the inner end of the barrel to en age and disen a e Q L3 G3 a:

collar at the inner end and provided with a central bushing projecting within the collar, a-barrel rotatable in said bushing and keyed at its outer end to the cover, a latch arm fixed to the inner end of the barrel to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid, and key operated locking means within said barrel including a bolt engageable in an opening formed in the bushing, when the latch arm is 'in lid-engaging position.

9. The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, acollar fitted in and projecting outwardly through an opening in the wall.

of the casing, the inner end of the collar being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and secured to the inner side of said.

wall, a rotatable cover member secured to and closing the outer end of the collar, and means controlled by movementof said cover for latching and releasing the casing lid.

10. A structure according to claim 9 :in'

which the means for latching and releasing the casing lid comprises a latch arm fixed to rotate with the cover to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid, and key operated means for securingthe arm in lid-engaging position.

11. The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar-fitting in and projecting outwardly through an opening in the wall of the casing, the inner end of the collar being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and secured to the inner side of said wall, a rotatable cover secured to and closing the outer end of the collar, a barrel keyed at its outer end to said cover and extending inwardly through said collar, a latch arm fixed to the inner end of the barrel adapted to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid, and key operated means carried by the barrel for securing said arm in lid-engaging position.

12. The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar projecting outwardly through an opening in the wall of the easing, the inner end of the collar being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and secured to the inner side of said wall, a rotatable cover secured to and closing the outer end of the collar, a centrally disposed bushing positioned within the collar and secured thereto, a barrel rotatable in said bushing and having its outer end keyed to the carer a latch arm fined to the inner end aeaaaee of the barrel for engaging and disengaging apart carried by the lid, and key operated -means Within the barrel including a bolt adapted to engage in an opening formed in the bush-ing to hold said latch arm in lidengaging position.

13. The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar projecting outwardly through an opening in the wall of the casing, the inner end of the collar being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and secured to the inner side of said wall, a rotatable COVGI secured to and closing the outer end of the collar, a plate closing the collar at the inner end and providedwith a centrally disposed bushing projecting in the direction of the cover, a barrel rotatable in said bushing and keyed at its outer end to the cover, a latch arm fixed to the inner end of the barrel to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid, and key operated means within the barrel including a bolt engageable in an opening formed in said bushing.

14. The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar. projecting outwardly through an opening formed in the wall of the casing, the inner end of the collar being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and secured, to the inner side of said wall, an inwardly directed flange at the outer end of the collar, a rotatable cover bearing against the outer side of the flange, a retaining ring secured to the cover and hear: ing against the inner side of the flange, latch means carried by the cover for engaging said lid to hold the same closed, and key operated means for locking said latch means i in lid-engaging position.

15. The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar projecting outwardly through an opening in the wall of the casing, the inner end of the collar being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and secured to the inner side of said wall, an inwardly directed flange at the outer end of the collar a rotatable cover bearing against the outer side of the flange, a'retaining ring secured to the cover and bearing against the inner side of the flange, a barrel keyed at its outer end to said cover and extending inwardly through said collar, a latch arm fixed to the inner end of the barrel adapted to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid, and key operated means carried by the barrel'for securing said arm in lid-engaging position.

16. A structure according to claim 15.1'including a centrally disposed bushing p'ositioned within the collar and receiving a barrel therethrough.

17. The combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar projecting outwardlythrough an opening in the wall of the casing, the inner end of the collar being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and seaces cured to the inner side of said wall, an inwardly directed flange at the outer end of the collar, a rotatable cover bearing against the outer side of the flange, a retaining ring se cured to the cover and bearing against the inner side of the flange, a centrally disposed bushing positioned within the collar and secured thereto, a barrel rotatable in saidbushing and having its outer end keyed to the cover, a latch arm fixed to the inner end of the barrel for engaging and disengaging a part carried by the lid, and key operated locking means within the barrel including a bolt adapted to'engage in an opening formed in the bushing to hold the latch arm in lidcngaging position.

18. .The' combination of a casing, a lid for said casing, a collar-projecting outwardly through an opening in the wall of the casing the inner end of the collar being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and secured to the inner side of said wall, an inwardly directed flange at the outer end of the collar, a rotatable cover bearing against the outer side of the llange, a retaining ring secured to the cover and bearing against the inner side of the flange, a plate closing the collar at theinner end and provided with a centrally disposed bushing projecting within the collar,-a barrel rotatable in said bushing and keyed at its outer end to the said cover, a latch arm fixed to the inner end of the barrel to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid, and key 0 erated locking means within the barrel inc uding a bolt engageable in an opening formed in said bushing.

19. The combination of a coil box, a lid for said box, a collar projecting outwardly from the wall of the box, a switch within said collar including a rotatable element closing the outer end of the collar, latch means carried by the said rotatable element for engaging and holding the casing 11d closed, and key operated means for lock ng said latch means in lid-engaging pos1t10n.

20. lhe combination of a coil box, a lid.

for said bold, a collar projecting outwardly from the wall of the box, a rotatable cover secured to and closing the outer end of the collar, switch contacts carried by said cover, a switch base mounted within the collar and equipped with contacts arranged to cooperate with the cover contacts, and key operated locking means for securing said cover in adjusted position including a latch adapted to engage and disengage a part carried by said lid.

21. The combination of a coil box, a lid for said box, a collar projecting outwardly from the wall of the box, a rotatable cover secured to and closing the outer end of the collar, :1 switch base mounted withrn the collar, cooperating contacts carried by the base and cover, a barrel lreyed to the cover and passing rotatably through the said base, a latch arm fixed to'the inner end of the barrel to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid, and key operated locking means carried by the barrel for securing said cover and arm in adjusted position.

29. The combination of a coil box, a lid for said box, a switch secured to said box including a stationary base and a rotatable cover, and key operated means for locking the cover to the base including a latch adapted to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid to lock the lid in closed position when the switch is in open position.

23. The combination of a coil box, a lid for said box, a collar projecting outwardly through an opening in the wall of the box, the inner end of the collar being flanged to a greater diameter than the opening and secured to the inner side of said wall, an inwardly directed flange at the outer end of the collar, and a switch structure carried by the collar including a switch base mounted in the collar, a switch cover bearing against the outer side of said tlange, and carrying contacts adapted to cooperate with the complementary contacts carried by the base, a retaining ring secured to the inner side of the cover and bearing against the inner side of said flange, and key operated means for locking the cover to the base including a latch arm adapted to engage and disengage a part carried by the lid.

24-. The combination of a coil box, a lid for said box, a switch secured to said box including a stationary base, a rotatable cover and cooperating contacts carried by the base and cover adapted to be engaged and disengaged to close and open the switch, and means for locking the cover to the base to secure the switch in open position including a latch engageable with a part carried by the lid to secure the lid in closed position.

25. The combination of a coil box, a switch including a base attached to the box, a cover rotatably secured to the. base, cooperating contacts carried by said base and cover, alatch fixed to rotate with the cover to engage a part carried by the lid and to thereby secure the lid in closed position when the cover is operated to a switch opening position and a lock barrel rotatable with the cover and including -a bolt adapted to be engaged in a socket formed in said base when said cover is operated to a switch open ing position as aforesaid.

26. The combination of a coil box, a switch including a base fastened to the box and a cover rotatably secured to said base, said base and cover being equipped with cooperating contacts engageable and disengageable to close and open the switch, a lock barrel passing through registering central' openings formed. in the base and the means, includingan element actuated by cover and secured to the latter to rotate said ban-e1 for securing the lid in closed pm 1% therewith, said lock barrel enclosing a locksition when the cover of the switch is seing mechanism including a bolt adapted to cur-ed to the'switch base as aforesaid.

5 be engaged in a socket formed in the base to In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my secure the base and cover against relative signature.

movement upon operation of the cover to a position disengaging said. contacts and WILSON HEMINGWAY, JR. 

